Simon Jordan reacts to Anthony Gordon speaking Spanish - Newcastle United supporters will be surprised
Anthony Gordon completed his £70million move from Barcelona to Newcastle United and conducted his first press conference in Spanish.
Simon Jordan has praised Anthony Gordon for conducting his first Barcelona press conference in fluent Spanish.
Newcastle United supporters were surprised by the winger’s language skills during his unveiling on Friday. Some critics took a cynical view, suggesting Gordon’s proficiency pointed towards a planned exit well in advance.
However, an interview from 12 months ago soon resurfaced, with Gordon admitting to watching a Spanish TV show to help master the vocabulary. His efforts were praised by the Barca press and former Crystal Palace owner Jordan has hailed Gordon for making the instant connection.
Simon Jordan reacts to Anthony Gordon
“I don't understand what the question was about. I think if a foreign player came over here and started speaking English, no one would say, why did you decide to speak English?” Jordan told talkSPORT. “Fair play to him, that he has the ability.
Yeah, it's quite unusual. First of all, it's not Spanish, it's Catalan that they speak. But notwithstanding that, he spoke Spanish to them and they understood it. He talks about playing for an incredible team and playing for a shirt that's had so many incredible players playing for it. But well done to him. Fair play to him.
“You've seen other people go in there and do the very bare minimum of Spanish, so fair play to him. But he told you the reasons why. He told you what he was driven by. The fact that once upon a time, in his young self, he wanted to play for Barcelona.
“He's learned Spanish. Maybe he's holidayed in Spain for years. I don't know what his background is. But the fact is, he's gone and done it. So the people should be applauding it rather than asking him why he's speaking Spanish.
“If a Spaniard came over and started speaking in English, we wouldn't say, ‘Why are you speaking in English?’ We'd be saying, so you should, you're in the English league now. So actually, it's a terrible indictment of Englishness.”
‘Newcastle United must spend £70m wisely’ - Simon Jordan
Jordan also believes the onus is now on the Magpies to reinvest his “70million transfer fee wisely. He added: “And for Newcastle, what does it mean? It depends who they replace him with. They've got £70million for him. Don't judge Newcastle by selling a player, because it’s no different than Liverpool selling (Luis) Diaz.
“Ronaldo was sold, every player gets sold, to some extent, from football clubs. For Newcastle, it's what they do with the money. If they upgrade him, because I think he's all right. I'm amazed that Barcelona think of him that highly - but fair play to him.
“He keeps on rising to the level. I think Newcastle fans were talking about the fact he reserved his best performances for European games, rather than the consistency of the league. But Newcastle got £70million. how they deploy it might be another question.”